Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Although Arsenal haven't yet done enough in the transfer market to get closer to the Premier League title, at least ArseneWenger is doing something to clear out the dead wood.

Wenger hasn't exactly had a great record in the transfer market over the past few seasons. For every Mikel Arteta, SantiCazorla or Olivier Giroud, you've got an Andrey Arshavin, Andre Santos or Sebastien Squillaci.

Here are the latest updates on two players who are out the door, and one who could be on his way in.Marouane Chamakh:At the very least, MarouaneChamakh knows he's off to Crystal Palace. Just what the terms of the deal are have yet to be confirmed.

The Daily Mirror's Steve Stammers reported the 29-year-old would be moving to Palace on a six-month loan deal. On the other hand, Wenger's comments to the club's official website made it seem Chamakh would be making a permanent move, via Pete O'Rourke of Sky Sports.

Whether it's a loan or an outright sale, Gunners supporters will likely be happy to see the back of Chamakh. Since making the move in 2010, the striker has only scored eight goals in 40 appearances for the club.

Chamakh just hasn't been a good fit
for Arsenal's style. He did most of his damage at Bordeaux when getting
service from wide positions. It was the kind of service he wasn't going
to receive at the Emirates.

Gervinho:

Another of Wenger's perceived flops is Gervinho. According to the BBC's David Ornstein, Wenger confirmed the winger would be off to Roma this summer. Ornstein reported the fee to be around £6.9 million.Football writer Chris Wheatley posted on Twitter a photo of Gervinho training at Roma.

Gervinho has had a tough time over
the past two seasons at Arsenal. He's made 46 appearances in the Premier
League but only scored nine goals. Although he wasn't bad when deployed
out wide, he looked less effective when playing in a central role.

The 26-year-old was unable to reach the level he displayed while at Lille, when he scored 28 goals in two seasons.

A move to Roma reunites Gervinho with Rudi Garcia. He should thrive under Garcia, given his success under the Frenchman in Ligue 1 and familiarity with his system.Luis Suarez:

Brendan Rodgers is not going to give up on Luis Suarez without a
fight. Now, he's going on the offensive regarding Arsenal's tactics for
getting the striker out of Anfield this summer, per theGuardian's Andy Hunter:

"I was surprised. I've got to say I've always associated Arsenal as a
club with class and so there was a wee bit of a game there. For us, it's
about moving on and doing our own work. There will come a point where
they understand our position. Obviously they have an interest and they
put that interest in with two bids which were nowhere near what the
player is worth. That's within their right. There is a market in
football for players but from us the message is constant. We do not want
to sell."

The point of contention is Arsenal's £40,000,001 bid for Suarez, which triggered a clause in his contract which means that Liverpool have to inform the player of the bid and allow him to negotiate a deal.Even with that in mind, it's hard to see where Rodgers is coming
from. Arsenal haven't taken this battle to the public very often, which Wenger could easily have done by now.

For the most part, Wenger has allowed
negotiations to be handled behind closed doors and not said anything
that would unsettle Suarez any more than he already is.

It was a shrewd move by Arsenal to activate the clause. Why make a
£45 million or £50 million bid when one pound over the £40 million that
is stipulated in Suarez's contract will do?

If anything, Rodgers should be blaming himself or the club's officials for allowing the clause to be written into the contract.